Candesartan

Candesartan treats high blood pressure. This medication should not be used during pregnancy. Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium.

Candesartan Overview

Reviewed: August 17, 2012

Updated: August 21, 2015

Candesartan is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children and certain types of heart failure in adults. Candesartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which prevent blood vessels from narrowing. This relieves the heart from excess strain and allows blood to pump smoothly.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once or twice a day, with or without food.

Common side effects of candesartan include back pain, dizziness, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how candesartan will affect you.

Low blood pressure can also happen if you have major surgery or anesthesia. You will be monitored for this and treated if needed.

Worsening kidney problems . Kidney problems may get worse in people that already have kidney disease or heart problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for this.

Worsening liver problems . Liver problems may get worse in people who already have liver problems, including inflammation of the liver and jaundice. Tell your doctor if you notice that your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow.

Increased potassium in your blood . Your doctor may do a blood test to check your potassium levels as needed.

Symptoms of allergic reaction . Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction:

swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat

rash

hives and itching

The most common side effects of candesartan are:

back pain

dizziness

cold or flu symptoms (upper respiratory tract infection)

sore throat (pharyngitis)

nasal congestion and stuffiness (rhinitis)

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side effects of candesartan. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Candesartan Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Candesartan and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Candesartan may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how candesartan works.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

lithium carbonate (Lithobid) or lithium citrate, medicines used in some types of depression

other medicines for high blood pressure, especially water pills (diuretics)

potassium supplements

salt substitutes

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medications with you to show your doctor and pharmacist when a new medication is prescribed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any new medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist will know what medicines are safe to take together.

Candesartan Precautions

Candesartan can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking candesartan, tell your doctor right away.

Do not take candesartan if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in candesartan.

Candesartan can cause you to feel dizzy or tired. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how candesartan affects you.

Inform MD

are scheduled for surgery or anesthesia. Low blood pressure can happen in people who take candesartan and have major surgery and anesthesia.

have any other medical conditions

are pregnant or planning to become pregnant . See "Drug Precautions".

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed . It is not known if candesartan passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take candesartan or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Candesartan and other medicines may affect each other

Candesartan and Pregnancy

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category D. Candesartan can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking candesartan, tell your doctor right away.

Candesartan and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed . It is not known if candesartan passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take candesartan or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Candesartan Usage

Do not change your dose or stop candesartan without talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well.

If your child cannot swallow tablets, or if tablets are not available in the prescribed strength, your pharmacist will prepare candesartan as a liquid suspension for your child. If your child switches between taking the tablet and the suspension, your doctor will change the dose as needed. Shake the bottle of suspension well before each dose.

Candesartan is taken by mouth with or without food.

If you miss a dose of candesartan, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose on time. Do not take 2 doses at one time. If you are not sure about your dosing call your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more candesartan than prescribed, call your doctor, local poison control center, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Use the oral suspension within 30 days after first opening the bottle. Do not use after the expiration date stated on the bottle.

Do not freeze.

Keep the container of candesartan closed tightly.

Keep candesartan and all medicine out of the reach of children.

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use candesartan for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give candesartan to other people, even if they have the same problem you have. It may harm them.

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